Howard Rl Cook & Tommy Shaw Foundation for Black Employees

The Howard Rl Cook & Tommy Shaw Foundation for Black Employees is a nonprofit organization established to support current and former black employees of the Library of Congress. The Foundation offers assistance in areas such as education, training, counseling, and administrative support, focusing on professional development and aiding employees in navigating discrimination-related issues[4].

Purpose and Activities

The Foundation primarily serves as a resource for employees who encounter racial discrimination within the Library. It provides necessary support and guidance to those pursuing allegations against their employer. This includes helping with discrimination complaints and facilitating access to relevant resources for affected employees[1].

Legal Case

The Foundation gained prominence due to a legal dispute with the Library of Congress. In 2010, the organization sought official recognition as an employee organization, which would have granted them access to Library facilities, bulletin boards, and other benefits. However, the Library denied this recognition, citing that the Foundation's purpose did not align with its policy regarding recognized employee organizations[1][2]. The Foundation and several of its members filed a lawsuit alleging that the denial of recognition was retaliatory under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The District Court dismissed the complaint, ruling that it failed to present a valid claim for retaliation under Title VII. This decision was upheld on appeal[1][3].

Leadership

The Foundation is led by key officers, including Christine Mills as President, William Roland as Secretary, and Kenneth Mackie as Treasurer. These positions are non-compensated[5].

Registration

The Foundation is registered with the IRS under the Employee Identification Number (EIN) 113654891[5].